|
A Kirghiz reed screen, North
Turkestan, first quarter 20th century, minor
losses to wrapping, approximately 10ft. 4in. by
5ft. 8in. (3.15 by 1.73m.)
New York 3,000—5,000 USD Session 1, 27
Apr 00 10:15 AM
Lot Sold. Hammer Price with Buyer's Premium:
3,000 USD
DESCRIPTION
Reed screens such as this one are known as
Chirmagan ashkana chiy ( kitchen screens) and are
traditionally used in the yurt as free-standing
space dividers. Although essentially functional
such screens are elaborately decorated with
designs that are closely related to the motifs
and format of Turkman knotted pile and felt
weavings. Trimmed reeds are individually wrapped
in dyed wool and bound together at a loom. As
such screens are made of perishable materials and
were routinely discarded and replaced, very few
examples of any age have been preserved. Perhaps
the oldest known examples, collected by S. M.
Dudin in 1901, are now in the Ethnographic Museum
in St. Petersburg.
A similar reed screen is illustrated in Hali,
Issue 75, p.115. For a full discussion of the
construction, usage and history of such weavings
see: Oriental Rug Review, Vol.11/6 and Vol.12/1,
Mateeva, Stella & Dr.
Jon Thompson, Patterned Reed Screens of the
Kirghiz.
|
